Q & A

For new clients, I am not accepting any insurance coverage as payment at this time. However, most group plans do provide “out of network coverage” which allow you to choose your preferred provider. In those cases, you pay me in full at the time of service, and then file a claim with the insurance company for partial reimbursement. I can provide you with the information (diagnosis code, “CPT code,” etc,) that you’ll need for this. Additionally, I maintain two or three sliding scale fee slots. Feel free to ask about this.

First, check credentials (or get referred by someone who can vouch for the therapist’s credentials) to ensure that the therapist has the necessary skills and relevant expertise. Then, meet with the therapist to evaluate whether you are a good match. This is very important! Scientific studies bear out that the therapeutic relationship is the key to success – not particular theories or techniques.

Yes. I use a cloud-based practice management system to keep all of my client records and contact information. With your permission, I will send you a link ahead of time to a secure website where you will fill out forms, give me your contact information and provide any relevant information about you & your family that you want to share. If you’re curious, here is my latest HIPAA form.

While entire books can and have been written on this subject, here are just a few thoughts. In therapy a child can expect to receive undivided adult attention and unconditional positive regard. Therapy can provide a safe place to express uncomfortable feelings, and a neutral adult that the child can talk to about otherwise charged topics. A session can be an opportunity to “be in charge” and explore themes of independence and power/control, and more.

Adults can talk through their innermost thoughts and feelings, but children have not yet developed those cognitive and emotional skills. Instead, children use play to explore or express themes that reflect – like a mirror – what they are feeling inside. For example: a child whose parents are divorcing might play with the family dolls, putting the Mommy doll in one house and the Daddy doll in another.

My job is to create a safe space for the child, and refrain from guiding or influencing the play (you’d be surprised how hard this is!). When the child directs the play, they have the opportunity to be in control over a situation that mirrors one they probably have no control over in real life, and process their feelings. Also, it is sometimes – but not always – helpful to “translate” the child’s play for the parents, to give them a possible glimpse into the child’s struggle.

Definitely. When I am seeing a child individually, I also see the family during the same timeframe. Some weeks it’s just for a few minutes at the beginning of the hour, other times it’s separate family therapy sessions. I generally recommend meeting alone with the parents for the first session. Also, when I do play therapy with younger children, I encourage parents to stay in the therapy room until the child says that they are ready to be in there alone.

No. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Psychologists tend to do testing more than therapy, and psychiatrists are medical doctors whom you would see for medication. Clinical Social Workers like myself specialize in therapy. Some families only feel that they need the services of a therapist, but others see all three: a therapist weekly, a psychologist for very thorough diagnosis, and then also a psychiatrist for medication management.